economists say the decline is due to fears of sharp tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect next week. barkley is considering a plan to change the face of downtown with the first high rise in that city in 40 years, a los angeles real estate group today submitted and application for the plan which calls for a 17 story luxury apartment complex on harold way by the downtown bart station. the plan includes a rooftop garden, conference center and four levels of underground parking. if approved the development would transform the block long harold way there in berkeley. the project is expected to face opposition from pest veryvationist. the developer wants to tear down the back of that. >>> former president george h.w. bush is in guarded condition at a houston hospital. a spokesman says he is alert talking with staff and surrounded by his family. he was moved to the intensive care unit on sunday and been in the hospital since last month for complications related to bronchitis. >> they don't put you in icu because things are going well, we are hoping the medicines and t